Building Relationships in Planned Giving: AI’s Role in the Human Touch with Chris McGown

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch welcomes Chris McGown, founder and principal of Peak 9860, to explore how artificial intelligence is impacting the world of planned giving while keeping relationships at the heart of fundraising. With over 30 years of nonprofit development experience, Chris has cultivated $95 million in planned gifts and shares invaluable lessons from his career.

Together, Josh and Chris discuss the evolving role of AI in planned giving, from identifying prospects to crafting personalized messaging, and the critical importance of transparency and trust when integrating AI into nonprofit strategies. Chris shares heartfelt stories of donor relationships that underscore the power of human connection in inspiring legacy gifts.

Key Topics:

• How AI analytics can identify and prioritize planned giving prospects.
• The importance of building meaningful donor relationships in fundraising.
• Transparency and ethical practices in AI-generated nonprofit communications.
• Memorable donor stories that highlight the impact of planned giving.
• Challenges nonprofits face in ensuring data accuracy for AI applications.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Planned Giving and AI
02:34 Chris McGown’s Career and Achievements in Nonprofit Development
06:12 Balancing Relationships and Technology in Planned Giving
09:52 Using AI to Identify Prospects and Personalize Messaging
12:02 Challenges with Data Accuracy and AI in Nonprofits
14:27 Transparency in AI-Generated Content
16:40 Donor Skepticism in the Age of AI
18:58 Ethical AI Practices and Building Donor Trust
23:42 Chris’s Journey: The Story Behind Peak 9860
26:01 Fun and Reflection: Favorite 1980s Movies

Connect with Chris McGown:

• Website: Peak 9860
• LinkedIn: Christopher McGown

Connect with Josh Hirsch:

• Website: The AI Dude
• LinkedIn: Josh Hirsch